Reward Is Offered In Wake Of Killing Of Store Employee

The owner of a hair-cutting salon has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the armed robber who killed a Farm Store employee Tuesday in Wilton Manors.

``This is a little too close to home -- we want him stopped,`` Ben Rhodes, owner of a Fantastic Sam`s outlet, said Wednesday in announcing the reward.

His store is at 830 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park, about a mile from the scene of the robbery-murder in the Farm Store at 2690 N. Andrews Ave. The victim of the killing was Sultan Khan, 41, who lived in Lauderdale Lakes.

The victim, who had worked at various Farm Stores outlets for about four years, was shot to death with a single bullet fired from a .38-caliber gun, police said.

``It`s just such a terrible thing,`` said Salvatore Cosentino, who lived below Khan and his brother, Mohammad Ayub, in the Normandy Square Condominium apartments. ``He was such a nice man, always gracious and friendly. I just hope they find the guy who did it and put him in the electric chair.``

Joseph Kamin, another neighbor, described Khan, who was the father of three children, as ``the nicest gentleman I`ve ever known.

``Everybody loved him.`` Kamin said. ``We`re all in shock.``

Khan was identified by a Farm Stores supervisor and his brother, Ayub, who was called to the scene along with other relatives. His wife reportedly left about six weeks ago for a visit to her native Pakistan with the couple`s three children -- two boys and a 10-month-old girl.

Ironically, Khan was supposed to have left just a week ago to join his family in Pakistan and visit with relatives before returning to the United States.

``He called it off,`` said Kamin. ``He was going to leave a week ago, then he decided to wait and let them return.``

``He was good man, a simple chap,`` said the gatehouse attendant at the condominium, who knew the two brothers. ``Very nice. He liked to play bingo and poker. What a shame.``

Persons with information about the crime are asked to call the Wilton Manors Police Department at 566-1556.